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Detroit Lions draft target: WSU edge rusher Hercules Mata’afa

By Ash Thompson

PULLMAN, WA - NOVEMBER 07: Mike Bercovici
PULLMAN, WA - NOVEMBER 07: Mike Bercovici /
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The Detroit Lions need help on the edge. They may find it in round one or two, but there are a lot of options later in the draft as well. The Lions could go for a high profile option, they have certainly been visiting with all of them. They are also doing their homework on players expected to go much later in the draft.
The Detroit Lions need help on the edge. They may find it in round one or two, but there are a lot of options later in the draft as well. The Lions could go for a high profile option, they have certainly been visiting with all of them. They are also doing their homework on players expected to go much later in the draft. /

Hercules Mata’afa is one of the 2018 NFL draft’s most intriguing prospects. He was a starting defensive tackle at Washington State. He stands 6’2″ and weighs 254 lbs. That is not a workable combination at the NFL level. Mata’afa is going to have to switch positions as a pro. He has the size of a stand-up edge rusher, and his athletic scores at the combine were acceptable for a move to the edge.

Mata’afa has only one physical weakness on the edge. His arms are only 31-1/2″ long. There are a few players that have overcome giving everyone they face on the edge a reach advantage, but even they typically come in over 32.” Mata’afa will be available late into day three in all likelihood because of this physical deficiency. The analytics are not kind to short armed edge rushers.

Mata’afa is a name to watch for at the draft. Even if the Lions have taken an edge defender early, they are also in need of depth moving forward. The only edge defenders under contract for 2019 are Anthony Zettel, Alex Barrett, and Devon Kennard, assuming they use Kennard the way most expect.

Mata’afa met with the Lions at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. NFL scouts specifically asked that he perform in linebacker drills and the 60-yard shuttle at the Washington State pro day. He was more than happy to oblige. He fared well by all reports, so there may be a position for him with a larger number of teams.

Next: Detroit Lions draft target: Marcus Davenport

Asking a player to move from defensive tackle to outside linebacker is a tall order. It would be very surprised to see Mata’afa go before the Lions fifth-round pick. If Mata’afa does end up in Detroit, the Lions are getting a high character guy. He is a locker room leader and has a motor that never stops.

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